Portable partition carton



March 29, 1938.

H. KONDOLF PORTABLE PARTITION CARTON Filed May 29, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l 3moentor Henry //ancZa March 29, 1938.

H. KONDOLF PORTABLE PARTITION CARTON.

Filed May-29, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lnneutot Henry Mme-Z06;

Gttorneg Patented Mar. 29, 1938 2,112,535

UNITED (STATES PATENT OFFICE PoaTAnLn PARTITION CARTON Henry Kondolf, New York, N. Y., assignor to Southern Kraft Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application May 29, 1933, Serial No. 673,540

ing the manufacturing process and machinery. Another advantage is thateach blank is formed from a relativelyrectangular piece of material whereby there is no waste which would follow from the use of extending flaps.

The blanks are easily converted into final form and unskilled laborers may be employed, the purpose of the locking tabs thereon being apparent from a casual inspection. 'Ihe'smaller units are inserted within the larger carton simply by sliding them endwise thereinto, no complicated operation being involved in setting the bottle units in the package. my invention thereby provides a large saving in converting cost while providing the other desirable advantages heretofore pointed out.

Aiurther desirable feature, of my present invention is that each of the smaller units may be removed from the carton and are immediately in a convenient form for display on the shelves, in the windows and on thecounters of the retail store, without requiring any change therein or further operation by the retailer. the unit serves as a convenient container in which to deliver the product. Y

My invention may be made 'of any suitable thin, fibrous material,' such as cardboard, single or double kraft corrugated board or other sheet material having light 'weight and sufllcient strength and rigidity to withstand My present invention relates to improvements in packages and more particularly to an improved portable partition carton designed to facilitate the handling of bottle goods. My invention also comprehends a new and improved method of packaging bottled goods and the like.

The problems encountered in shipping bottled goods from the bottling plant are numerous and varied, and. a package which embodies features reducing the labor involved in forming the package and the cost of shipping is of extreme importance to everyone concerned. It is, of course, paramount that the bottles be protected from breakage and'from having their labels defaced or torn off, and the object of any bottle package is I to attain this result while reducing the size of the package to a minimum.

Numerous means have been devised with these.

ends in view, some of which afford amaximum of protection at the expense of space, while the reverse is true of others. vention is toso package bottles that they are positively protected frombreakage or defacement in a package which takes up the least pos- The simplicity of The object of my in- In addition,

Another object of my invention is to package a plurality of bottles in a large carton, While each bottle is individually nested in smaller, separate sub-units of the package. v Each of these smaller sub-units comprises a complete case or carton holding a plurality of bottles, preferably three. Each unit may be individually removed from the larger carton and in its separate state forms a neat package which displays the enclosed bottles, positively'individually protects each bottle, and provides a compact unit which may be easily carried in one hand. The latter feature is important to retailing merchants in that the buyer is more readily persuaded to purchase anumber of bottles and provides a package to carry out.

These objects and advantages are obtained through the use of foldable blanks which may be converted into package form with a minimum of eiiort and without the use of "extraneous sealing means such as are necessary in heretofore de-.

With my invention, the necessity for expensive sealing machinery, and sealing materials such as heavy reinforced tape or staples, etc at the converters plant is obviated, each of the sub-units and the larger carton-being self-locking and not requiring the use pf extraneous sealing means. Further, each blank is formed as-a single piece and thus may be produced in a single stamping or rolling operation, assuring exact registry of all parts and simplify- Other objects and advantages of my invention will be more particularly pointed out and will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the drawings.

Referring to-the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout;

Fig-1 is a view of one form of blank;

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the assembled case or portable partition carton, made from the .blank of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken through the assembled case or portable partition cartonof Fig.4 is a.horiz ontal section taken through the assembled case or portable partition carton of Fig. 2 looking downward; 7

. Fig. 5 is a frontview of the upper section of a modified form of -case vised packages.

or portable partition Fig. 6 is a partial, vert en through-Fig. 6 along the line 1-1 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a, package embodying features of my invention, showing a plurality of the smaller units as they are placed within the large carton.

Referring to the form of case illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, the blank is shown as it emerges from a press and before it is converted into assembled form. The blank consists of a bottom wall I to which side walls 2 and 3 are attached along score lines 4 and 5. A top flap 6 is attached to side wall 2 along a score line 1 and has a locking tab 8 formed therein. This tab is formed by a straight diagonal cut 9 extending inward from a point near one corner of the flap to a median point, and a divergent cut Ill extending back toward the beginning of cut 9. The resultant tab is cut short of its point, forming the locking tab 8 extending from a median toward thelower corner of flap '1. Similarly, a top flap H is attached to side wall 3 along-a score line I2 and has a locking tab |3 formed therein. This tab is formed by a straight diagonal cut H extending diagonally inward from apoint near the upper corner of flap H to a median point and a divergent cut l5 extending back toward the beginning of cut H. The resultant tab is cutshort of its point to form locking tab l3 extending from a median toward the upper corner of flap I. Thus the blank is provided with oppositely extending, interenga'geable locking tabs and notches. A set of tray or compartment forming members is attached to the bottom I along score lines l6 and I1. These. score lines are in the same straight lines as the edges of the side walls 2 and 3. End walls I8 and i9 are defined by score lines l6 and II, respectively, and score lines 4 and 5' which are offset with respect to score lines 4 and 5 to a distance equal' to the flap carries a-compartment-forming flap 24 at its outer end, attached thereto along score line 25, the length of the so-formed compartment flap being slightly less than the width of the bottom wall I. A locking notch 26 extends from a median point of member 2|! toward the outer edge of the blank, the notch beingof a substantially Y- shape and diverging outwardly. Flap 2| carries a similar locking notch 21 extending from a median point and diverging inwardly toward the cut separating the flap ,Irom side wall 2. Side flap 22 carries a partition flap 28 at its outer end, this partition member being defined by a score line 23 and is similar to partition flap 24. A locking notch 30, similar to locking notch 26, is formed in member 22, and a locking notch 3|, similar to locking notch 21, is formedin member 23. Thus the members attached to' end walls lb and [3 are identical in structure but diagonally opposed, each flap being dissimilar to the directly opposed flap and interengageable therewith. If desired, the side flaps may be joined in the middle, that is, the notches may be formed in the middle of each side flap so as to provide two partition flapsin each side. By positioning the substantially in the center of each side flap the outer end of each strip will be of a length sufilcient to permit it to extend across the width of the bottom I. 7

One of the side walls, in the illustration side wall 3, is formed with means to engage the necks of the enclosed bottles. This means comprises a hinged portion 32 defined by a straight cut 33 and a score line 34 parallel to score lines 5 tongues 31 and 38 joined by a bridge 39 adjacent score line 34.

Inconverting the blank of Fig. 1, the end walls It! and I!) are bentupward normal to the plane of bottom I. Each of a directly opposed pair of compartment-forming members is now bent normal to the end walls and its locking notch interengaged with the notch 01. the other member. Thus, side flaps 20 and 23 are brought together parallel to score line 5 and notches 26 and 3| are interengaged, and side flaps 2| and 22 are brought parallel to score line 4 and notches 21 and 3|] are interengaged. The notches are Y-shaped or slotted to provide open ends which may be easily slipped together while the legs of the Ys provide exactly registering and firm locking means. Side flaps 20 and 22 are placed on the inside of the so-formed walls in order thatcompartment flaps 24 and 28 may be bent normal thereto and parallel to the end walls, thereby forming a plurality of compartments each adapted'to snugly receive the large end of a bottle.

Side walls 2 and 3 are now brought normal to the bottom and top flaps 6 and H superimposed; The widths of the top flaps are designed to be substantially equal to the width of a capped bottle mouth, hence side walls 2 and 3 converge upwardly. By twisting the side walls, the locking notches of the top'fiaps are interengaged,

.with locking tabs 8 and I3 protected within the top wall and resting snugly against the top of the central bottle cap. The side walls tend to draw the sides of the tray snugly against the bottles, and also rest against the shoulders 01' the bottles and the sides of their capped mouths, while the top wall restrains them from slipping" out of the compartments.

The top flaps 6 and I need not be locked together until the package is sold by the retailer. In this event a label 'or seal, having .advertising matter thereon may be used to close the carton. When the package is sold the retailer merely breaks the seal and locks the top flaps together by'the locking notches.

The inherent stiffness ofthe material assures engagement of the locking flaps 8 and I3, but a. small strip of gummed tape may be adhered over the top of the case to guard against the effects of careless and rough handling. The top flaps may be further secured by the use of a small quantity of adhesive. Either of these operations may be manually performed, and even it special machinery were provided for this purpose, it is apparent that such machinery would be much less complicated and expensive than would be rethe front of the central bottle, while the tongues are of such length as to fit snugly against side wall 2. The tongues also 'fit snugly against the sides of the. bottle necks, thereby providing' a plurality of frictionally engaged edges which prevent the flap from being accidentally dis-.

engaged.

The form of case illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7 is provided with a modified flap 4l'l. In this form the trapezoidal flap is wider at its free endwhile the central portion 43 is narrower,

providing flaring tongues 4| and 42, and the neck. providing greater frictional contact to retain the flap, and; also providing a convenient means to assist in disengaging the flap.

It is apparent that features of both flaps may be interchangeable, as for example, flap 32 may have flaring tongues such as in flap 40, or flap 40 may be provided with narrowing tongues as in flap 32.

A further feature of either form of flap is that when engaged; it prevents side wall 3 from skewing sideways relative to the bottles. Thus accidental disengagement ofthe top locking means would require the skewing of side wall 2 the" full length of locking tab 8, a happening which is rendered impossible ,due to the snug fit of the bottles and the tight, frictional engagement of the ends of the tongues against the wall.

I It is evident that my case provides a maximum of safety to bottled goods.

Each bottle is protected by the bottom compartments and side walls and is further protected by the neck -engaging tongues. This construction meets all the present public carrier regulations. At the same time a carrying package is provided which is convenient to grasp and is formed with a side opening through which the finger tips may be inserted. Also the ends of each case are open and the labels of the enclosed bottles may be seen therethrough. Another feature is that side wall 2 presents a broad, plain surface which may be used to carry advertising printed matter.

Fig. 8 illustrates a large carton 50 having four of the smaller units enclosed therein, each of the smaller units being designed to enclose three bottles whereby the complete package contains a dozen bottles. It is apparent that each of the smaller units .comprises a package which individually nests a plurality of bottles while occupying a space in the large carton not appreciably t e shoulders of the'bottles and their capped e ds. Therebya plurality of the cases when placed in alternate reversed relation requires materially less space than is required to package a similar memberof bottles in the usual carton having individual cells of the same cross-section throughout.

The large case is formed in the manner shown in my copending application, Serial No. 673,541, 7

filed May 29, 1933. The carton comprises alternate side walls 5| and end walls 52, one corner of the carton being formed by interlocking means on the end edges of one end wall and one side wall. These interlocking means are more particularly described in the aforementioned application. The bottom of the carton is formed by overlapping bottom flaps hingedly attached to the walls and may or may not have interlocking means in the end edges of alternate bottom flaps as described in said application. The top wall of .the carton is formed by overlapping top flaps 53 and 54 hingedly'attached to the side walls. Alternate top flaps 53 .are. plain and are first folded downwardly overthe open ends of the enclosed bottle cases. The other pair of top flaps are formed with interlocking notches 55 and 56 and locking tabs'5l'and 58, as more fully described in said application. Top flaps 54 are folded into substantially overlapped relationship over the flaps 53 and notches 55 and 56 are interengaged by skewing the side walls of the carton and sliding the locking tabs through the opposite notches. Thus the locking tabs are protected within the so-formed wall and will not be accidentally disengaged. In my invention either one or both ends,of the carton may be formed with interlocking flaps, the purpose being to form a double thickness end wall which is easily disengaged and protects the open ends of the enclosed cases undertwo thicknesses of the carton material. Another useful purpose that is served thereby is that this end wall is left open until the last, and the enclosed cases are slid lengthwise therethroligh, and being easily disengageable, is the first portion of the carton to be opened, immediately presenting a view of the enclosed bottles through the open ends of the cases. There is thus provided a package which is easily and quickly assembled and is likewise easily and quickly disassembled and the person opening such'a package is not required to remove one of the single cases to ascertain the condition of the bottles or the type of beverage.

'A further feature is that in making the end wall disengageabie each smaller unit it so placed within the carton that its side wall or end walls, as the case may be, lie snugly against the side walls of the carton whereby a double thickness of material protects the enclosed bottles. Further, the side walls of adjacent smaller cases provide snugly fitting double thicknesses of material between adjacent bottles. And lastly, the open ends of theenclosed units are protected by the double thickness of the overlapped end flaps.

It is apparent that there is no place at which less than two thicknesses of material protect the enclosed bottles. I

As will be evident to those skilled in the art my invention permits of rearrangement of the several parts and modification of certain features thereof, and I do not intend to be limited except by the following claims which are to be broadly construed.

What I claim is: v

1. A bottle case comprising a tray having individual compartments each adapted'to snugly receive an end portion only 01 a bottle, and side walls integrally attached to the bottom of said tray adapted to snugly envelop said tray and the bottles held therein, said side walls having interengaging means on their end edges.

2. A bottle case comprising a tray having individual compartments each adapted to snugly receive the large end of a bottle, and side walls integrally attached to the bottom of said tray adapted to snugly envelop said tray and the bottles held therein, said side walls having interengageable top flaps thereon adapted to form a top wall narrower than said bottom.

3. A bottle case comprising a tray having compartments each adapted'to receive the large end of a bottle, side walls integral with the bottom of said tray adapted to envelop said tray and bottles held therein, interengageable top flaps on said side walls forming a top wall narrower than said bottom, and a neck-engaging flap formed in one of said side walls.

4. A bottle case comprising a tray having compartments each adapted to receive the large end of a bottle, sidewalls integral with the bottom of said tray adapted to envelop said tray and bottles held therein, interengageable top flaps on said side walls, and a neck-engaging flap formed in one of said side walls, said flap being trapezoidal in shape and hinged along a line adjacent the top flap of said wall.

5. A bottle case comprising a tray having compartments each adapted to receivethe large end 01' a bottle, side walls integral with the bottom of said tray adapted to envelop said tray and bottles held therein, interengageable top flaps on said side walls. and a neck-engaging flap formed in one of said side walls, said flap being trapezoidal in shape and having a central portion removed to form spaced tongues adapted to fit between the necks of adiacent bottles.

6. A bottle case comprising a tray having compartments each adapted to receive the large end of a bottle, side walls integral with the bottom of said tray adapted to envelop said tray and bottles held therein, interengagea'ble top flaps on said side walls, and a neck-engaging flap formed in one of said side walls, said flap being trapezoidal in shape and cut to form spaced tongues adapted to fit between the necks of adjacent bottles and a central flap adapted to engage the front of one of said bottles.

7. A bottle case comprising a tray having c0m-- partments each adapted-to receive the large end of a bottle, side walls integralwith the bottom of said tray adapted to envelop said tray and bottles held therein, interengageable top flaps on said side walls, and a neck-engaging flap formed in one ofsaid side walls adapted to be swung into position parallel to said bottom and form a fingerhold in the side of said case.

8. A package comprising a tray having compartments, bottles set within said compartments, 7

side walls embracing said tray and bottles, selflocking flaps on said side walls interengaged to form a top wall, and a flap struck from one side 7 wall having tongues adapted to engage the necks of said bottles.

. 9. A case comprising a tray having-individual compartments each adapted snugly to receive one end of an article positioned therein, and side wallsformed integral with the bottom of saicl tray adapted snugly to envelop said tray and the containers held therein, said side walls having interengageable'top flaps therein adapted to form a top wall for said case narrower than the said bottom thereof.

HENRY KONDOLF. 

